Scott Brannen manslaughter trial RECAP: Man accused over brawl which led to dad's death

The trial of a man allegedly involved in a Times Square brawl which led to the death of Blakelaw dad Scott Brannen started today at Newcastle Crown Court.

The father-of-six was out celebrating his son Scott’s 19th birthday with the family on August 21, 2016, when he was allegedly attacked outside Rusty’s bar.

Mr Brannen, 40, was rushed to Newcastle’s RVI hospital with severe head injuries, but a spokesperson for Northumbria Police confirmed on September 12 he had sadly died.

Approximately 200 people turned out to pay their respects to him at a service at West Road Cemetery Chapel the following month. Jordon Craggs, 22, of Finsmere Place, Slatyford, has denied manslaughter and affray. Connor Stewart, 20, of Byrness Close, Kenton, has pleaded guilty to common assault by beating.

The jury were sworn in on Tuesday, and the trial of Craggs begins today.

Dad killed from 'flying punch' by attacker

A court heard how Daniel Ree “sprinted like Linford Christie” across Times Square to land a “flying punch” on Scott Brannen.

Mr Brannen, a Blakelaw dad-of-six, was out celebrating his son Scott’s 19th birthday in Rusty’s in Newcastle city centre in the early hours of August 21, 2016, when they were removed following a “fracas”.

Jurors were told a confrontation in Times Square then followed, and Mr Brannen was rushed to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary after the alleged attack.

Prosecutors say Mr Brannen sustained a fractured skull, bleeding and bruising on the brain after smashing his head on the pavement.

But after being told his injuries were “unsurvivable”, the family made the decision to take Mr Brannen off his life support and he died on September 8.